Un homme est passé

Original title: Bad Day at Black Rock

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

25K

YOUR RATING

Spencer Tracy, Anne Francis, and Robert Ryan in Un homme est passé (1955)

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Crime Drama Mystery Thriller Western

Following World War II, a one-armed stranger arrives in a tiny California desert town, but finds the residents hostile and protecting a terrible secret they want to keep hidden, by violent m... Read allFollowing World War II, a one-armed stranger arrives in a tiny California desert town, but finds the residents hostile and protecting a terrible secret they want to keep hidden, by violent means if necessary.Following World War II, a one-armed stranger arrives in a tiny California desert town, but finds the residents hostile and protecting a terrible secret they want to keep hidden, by violent means if necessary.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

25K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 3 Oscars
- 4 wins & 8 nominations total

Cafe Lounger
(unconfirmed)

Billy Dix

Cafe Lounger
(unconfirmed)

Mickey Little

Cafe Lounger
(unconfirmed)

K.L. Smith

Cafe Lounger
(unconfirmed)

Robert Griffin

Second Train Conductor
(uncredited)

Harry Harvey

First Train Conductor
(uncredited)

Bobby Johnson

One of Two Porters
(uncredited)

Francis McDonald

Tall - White-haired Cafe Lounger
(uncredited)

Director
- John Sturges
Writers
All cast & crew
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Key Largo

Storyline

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Trivia
John Sturges had already moved on to his next film, Duel d'espions (1955), so Herman Hoffman took charge of filming the opening. The plan was to shoot the train hurtling toward the audience, almost like a 3-D movie, but it would have been deadly to attempt a helicopter maneuver into the path of a speeding locomotive. Stunt flier Paul Mantz offered the perfect solution: have the train running backwards, fly the copter over the retreating engine, then project the footage in reverse. "It's a helluva shot," Sturges later said, "but I didn't make it."

Goofs
As the train approaches the town, the horn blows twice, which is the signal for starting up. The mandatory signal for a grade crossing (long, long, short, long) is never blown, although one clearly exists. When the train departs, the conductor makes a confused hand signal to the engineer resembling the horizontal motion that means "stop" rather than the vertical motion that means "go". The engineer never responds with the "long, long" starting signal.

Quotes
Coley Trimble: You're a yellow-bellied Jap lover! Am I right or wrong?
John J. Macreedy: You're not only wrong. You're wrong at the top of your voice.
Coley Trimble: [gets ready to scrap] You don't like my voice?

Alternate versions
To receive an 'A' (PG) certificate in 1955 the UK cinema version was subject to heavy BBFC cuts. These included Macreedy striking Hector with the brass fire hose nozzle and the climactic shots of Reno on fire. Later TV showings and video releases were fully uncut.

Connections
Featured in The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn (1986)

User reviews202

Featured review

7/10

The Xenophobes...

A one armed stranger leaves the train at Black Rock Station, unbeknown this is a place built on damnation, past events have caused suspicion, in this place without contrition, as the locals build there walls to cause frustration. The atmosphere's caustic and quite tense, as the alien observes and starts to sense, that his mission will be scuppered, as a secret is discovered, and attack is swiftly dealt after defence. But there are locals who no longer will adhere, to the tragedy that happened yesteryear, prepared to take the bullies on, to correct the heinous wrong, and stand up to dread and terror, built on fear.